Students at Sardis Secondary will soon have an improved and expanded place to learn with funding approved to build a two-storey addition at the school.

“Students deserve engaging, supportive learning environments that help them thrive and reach their full potential,” said Rachna Singh, Minister of Education and Child Care. “We’re making investments in Chilliwack and other fast-growing communities to support families, students and school staff.”

With Chilliwack growing rapidly, the Province is investing up to $40 million to build a 400-seat two-storey addition at Sardis Secondary to keep up with enrolment demands. Once complete, this will increase the school’s capacity from 1,200 to 1,600 seats.

The addition will be built using mass timber, supporting the government’s priority of creating climate-friendly buildings. Mass timber is an innovative building technology that will reduce the school’s carbon footprint throughout its lifetime by producing fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to steel or concrete.

“Chilliwack is a wonderful place to raise a family and as a result our schools are growing,” said Dan Coulter, MLA for Chilliwack. “That’s why our government is acting fast to provide Chilliwack students and families access to vibrant learning environments by investing in new and expanded schools.”

The funding for an addition to Sardis Secondary builds on the $100 million that has been invested by the Province in the Chilliwack School District. In the past five years two new schools – Imagine High Arts and Technology and Stitó:s Lá:lém Totí:lt Elementary/Middle School – have opened, and school expansions at G.W. Graham Secondary and Vedder Elementary have been completed. These four projects added 2,220 new seats to the district.

“Our government is doing great work to support families and students in Chilliwack,” said Kelli Paddon, MLA for Chilliwack-Kent. “It’s great to see how the recently completed addition at G.W. Graham Secondary, and the newly opened Stitó:s Lá:lém Totí:lt Elementary/Middle school are benefiting students and families.”

Quote:

Willow Reichelt, board chair, Chilliwack School District –

“The Chilliwack Board of Education is pleased to see the approval of the addition for Sardis Secondary. This is wonderful news for our rapidly growing district. We appreciate the provincial government’s continued support for creating permanent learning spaces for our students.”

Quick Facts:

• Since September 2017, the Government of B.C. has announced $3.2 billion for new and improved schools, as well as land purchases for future schools throughout the province.
• This includes adding approximately 20,000 new student spaces and 33,000 seismically safe seats at B.C. schools.
• Budget 2023 includes $3.4 billion for school capital projects over the next three years, including new and expanded schools, seismic upgrades and replacements, and land purchases for future schools.